Gordon hoping for expanded role in Badger offense

This time it counts as Melvin Gordon # 25 scores a TD, Wis. 37 - UTEP 19, 3:05 left in game

MADISON, Wis. -

Melvin Gordon is looking to boost his profile in the Wisconsin Badgers offense, now that Montee Ball has left for the NFL.

Last year, Melvin Gordon averaged a first down every time he carried the ball, even though he was third in line behind Montee Ball and James White.

Now with ball gone, Gordon figures to step into a bigger role.

"My coach says if you practice hard you won't be nervous come game day," said Gordon. "So, I've been training hard. A lot of the young guys have been training hard as well. So I'm going to be ready. I'm excited to step into that role.

"Montee's gone. He left some big shoes to fill with high expectations. And I believe me and james will fill them," said Gordon.

Gordon ended last year with a bang, running for over 200 yards in the Big Ten Championship game. He hopes to pick up where he left off.

Copyright 2013 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

They called it the "dog pound." It was a separate practice for women's basketball players at the University of Illinois, a majority of them black, where athletes were often allegedly harassed and attacked for things that had nothing to do with basketball.

After a week of controversy, the daughter of the late NFL star Junior Seau will speak on stage during her father's induction at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the hall's president said in a written statement.

Just two days ago, Wilmer Flores was in tears during a game over rumors that the Mets would trade him. On Friday night, he got a big welcome at the plate after hitting a walk-off home run in the 12th inning.

After all the hype around the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks' star power, it was a twice-drafted Danish goalie and a cast of role players that stole the spotlight in Game 1 on their Western Conference final series.